Ubiquitous Mobility in Next Generation Networks

Abstract

Heterogeneity is an inescapable fact in next generation networks. Mobility across these different network technologies is therefore imperative. Current initiatives address mobility of connection permitting mobility of user sessions across networks. They however increase complexity of the device requiring it to integrate the conflicting requirements of portability with a rich man-machine interface. This results in sub-optimal solutions and restricts mobility by tying the user down to the device. This paper introduces a novel approach to mobility. An agent is installed on the access device to act as a client proxy. The agent maintains an access list to permit initiation of an application session from a desired network. The session can then be transferred to another device preferred by the user. A proof of concept prototype has been developed that demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposal. Simulation results and numerical analysis establish the convenience of moving application sessions across devices